TV

A husband/wife producing team is suing The Weinstein Company, claiming they were lured into a trap because the company knew Harvey was a ticking time bomb and the result was that their project was torpedoed.

Scott Lambert and Alexandra Milchan claim they had a TV crime drama that was supposed to be directed by David O. Russell. Robert De Niro and Julianne Moore were attached.

They say Amazon had agreed to produce 2 seasons at $160 mil, but the project was shelved in the wake of the sex scandal.

The couple says TWC knew about Harvey's alleged sexual misconduct and did nothing, and that's why their project went in the toilet.

Hank Azaria's stereotypical Indian voice as 'Simpsons' character Apu isn't the show's biggest problem -- it's getting Apu some power ... according to the comedian who's challenging producers to make changes.

Hari Kondabolu's documentary, "The Problem with Apu" prompted Hank to tell us he's sorry if he offended anyone with his portrayal of Apu. He also hinted there's a chance Apu doesn't come back -- but Hari says there's a better solution.

'Simpsons' producers, listen up -- we think Hari just made your jobs a little easier.

He might need a writing credit though, if you use this idea. Doh!!

Colin Kaepernick made a rare public appearance Sunday night ... accepting an award for showing bravery to participate in national anthem demonstrations despite risking his job.

The free agent QB was honored with the Courageous Advocate award at the ACLU of SoCal's Bill of Rights dinner ... and was welcomed with a long applause from those in attendance.

"We must confront systemic oppression as a doctor would a disease. You identify it, you call it out, you treat it, and you defeat it," Kaep said.

“We all have an obligation no matter the risk, and regardless of reward, to stand up for our fellow men and women who are being oppressed with the understanding that human rights cannot be compromised."

Nick Carter's partner on "Dancing with the Stars" says him being accused of rape doesn't sound like the guy she knew ... 'cause he was a class act on the show.

Pro dancer Sharna Burgess posted a couple videos Saturday defending Nick after Melissa Schuman recently said he raped her in 2002, a claim he's denied.

Sharna says Nick was one of the most respectful partners she's had -- going so far as to say he never lashed out at anyone, even during the most tense times in their season ... which is apparently worthy of praise. She prefaced her clips by saying she isn't victim shaming.

While she might not be doing that per se, Sharna's definitely giving Nick a ringing endorsement here. That second place win in 2015 seems to have gone a long way.

Matt Lauer's not getting his ass kicked to the curb in NYC ... at least when it comes to his favorite restaurant.

We're told Matt is more than welcome at Fresco by Scotto in NYC, despite the mounting sexual misconduct allegations that got him canned after more than 20 years at NBC.

Owner Anthony Scotto tells TMZ, Lauer and his brood are like family and, despite the allegations, he'd give Matt a hug the next time he comes into the restaurant.

The ex-"Today" host has been going to the place for 16 years ... dining there last with his family just this past Thanksgiving. He's already been seen out and about in the Hamptons ... but showing up in NYC's a different beast.

Hank Azaria is breaking huge 'Simpsons' news -- Apu, one of the characters he voices, could be going away on the heels of a documentary accusing the hit show of racism.

We got Azaria at LAX and asked him about "The Problem with Apu." Up until now Hank hasn't reacted, but he told us he and producers are taking the criticism seriously.

If you haven't seen it, comedian Hari Kondabolu takes a hard look at Apu -- the Indian owner of the Kwik-E-Mart -- and says the character exploits stereotypes of Indian immigrants. Hank offered a heartfelt apology to anyone who's been offended.

"Saturday Night Live" took on the massive sexual harassment/assault scandal by telling perpetrators they are now in the same place the woman have been for years -- hell.

The skit -- "Welcome to Hell" -- is not knee-slapping funny, but it's definitely powerful. It addresses the sorrow some people have expressed that certain titans have now fallen and their projects have been shelved ... like Jeremy Piven and "Wisdom of the Crowd."

Kevin Dillon says his old pal and "Entourage" co-star, Jeremy Piven, is a gentleman who's being wrongly blacklisted over sexual misconduct allegations.

We got Kevin -- who starred on the HBO hit with Piven for 7 years -- and he says Piven's new show getting axed on CBS just ain't right.

According to Kev, Jeremy's nothin' but a gentleman. Can't tell if he's doing Drama here, but he's also shocked by the Lauer scandal.

Bottom line for Johnny Chase ... find the truth, first.

Photos of Meghan Markle striking some sexy poses raise one very important question -- what the hell took Prince Harry so long to propose???

Megs posed for the photo shoot back in 2013 for a Canadian magazine called Sharp. She was already starring in "Suits" by that time, but thank God the photographer did not take a literal approach to the theme of this shoot.

Ya gotta admit, it's kinda interesting to see someone who's about to be a member of the prim and proper British royal family posing like this. And, seeing as how Harry met Meghan in the summer of 2016 ... he probably would've seen these if he did some Internet research.

So, again we ask ... what took ya so long, Harry?

This seems to run in the fam. You'll recall -- and if you don't we're about to remind you -- Kate Middleton was walking in a fashion show when Prince William first laid eyes on her.

Well played, Princes.

Pamela Anderson is doubling down on comments made to Megyn Kelly about Harvey Weinstein's accusers knowing what they were getting into when they went to his hotel room alone ... and says she won't apologize.

Anderson tells TMZ, "This is not victim blaming" ... she never said women deserved to be abused. Pam calls Weinstein "a sexist pig and a bully."

The former "Baywatch" star touched off a firestorm when she told Kelly, "It was common knowledge that certain producers or certain people in Hollywood or people to avoid, privately," adding, "You know what you're getting into if you're going into a hotel room alone."

Pam says she wants perpetrators punished, but adds women need the "ability of self-protection." As for what type of self-protection, she says "There are a lot of self-protection courses. There is even a well known story of suffragettes learning martial arts."

And she goes on to say "women [must be] aware of certain problems and how to spot them and fight them. It is totally hypocritical to ignore this."

Pam tells us the issues are very complex, adding, "[I] will not get coerced into apology."

Cedric the Entertainer is all torn up about Russell Simmons -- he hates that his friend is losing so much professionally, but also seems to know he deserves it ... if the allegations are true.

We got the comedian Thursday night at LAX, where he discussed the rape claim from Jenny Lumet that forced Simmons to step down from his companies. Ced hemmed and hawed, and is clearly conflicted.

As Cedric said ... he has daughters and, with them in mind, he's not about to give Uncle Rush a pass for his alleged treatment of women.

Jamie Foxx is back onstage ... and we got him!!!

Jamie dusted off the ol' stand-up mic Wednesday at HaHa Comedy Club in North Hollywood where he tried out a 10-minute set about his junk that had the crowd rolling. He said he was testing out material for his upcoming comedy tour.

We're told Jamie didn't plan on taking the stage ... he was actually there to support his buddies from Speedy N Friends comedy series on Roll Out Live, but the spirit moved him to jump onstage.

Seth Meyers ripped Matt Lauer a new one on his show Friday morning over the sexual misconduct that got him fired.

Meyers turned Lauer's own words on him in the interview the former "Today" show host did with Bill O'Reilly. He also joked about the venue that caused Lauer's career to unravel ... the 2014 Sochi Olympics, saying everyone thought Bob Costas' pink eye was the grossest thing that happened. As we reported, the woman who lodged the complaint with NBC Monday says it happened at Sochi.

Kaley Cuoco let her longtime bf swing in the wind for several uncomfortable moments when he popped the BIG question.

But yeah ... she eventually said yes.

Karl Cook asked the 'Big Bang Theory' star to marry him Thursday night, and recorded the whole tearful event. Not sure he was expecting the full water works, but Kaley was red-faced and sobbing so hard she forgot to give her dude an answer.

This is Kaley's 2nd marriage. Her divorce from Ryan Sweeting was finalized in 2016.

Like the equestrian she is ... Kaley's getting back on that horse!

Congrats!

Russell Simmons production company held an emergency meeting hours after he stepped down amid sexual assault allegations, because his move came at the worst possible time.

Sources at Simmons' All Def Digital tell us staffers were called together Thursday morning. The company's "All Def Comedy Live" premieres Friday night on HBO, and we're told comedians and producers were given strict instructions on how to deal with questions about Russell leaving and the claims against him.

The strategy was pretty simple ... do NOT discuss it, and if you do, there will be repercussions.

Simmons used to be in the production office all the time. We're told he worked closely with some of the comedians appearing on 'All Def Comedy' -- and most of them want that to continue, despite the heinous accusations.

Friday 3:35 PM : We are told the matters between Yossi Dina and William Hubner have been resolved and Hubner will be dropping the lawsuit.

The star of "Beverly Hills Pawn" made a deal with a luxury watch aficionado to hawk a couple of his time pieces worth more than $75k, but came up way short ... according to a lawsuit.

The watch lover, William Hubner, says he went to Yossi Dina with several high-priced watches: 2 Diamond Piagets, 1 Chopard lady's diamond, 1 Patek Philippe Clock and 2 Audemars Piagets. Hubner says Yossi did what he does, and sold the Diamond Piagets.

In the suit, Hubner says his cut was supposed to be $75k, but Yossi only gave him $30k. The shorting pissed him off, so he demanded Yossi give him back the rest of the gear.

That hasn't happened, so Hubner's suing the pawn master to get the outstanding $45k, and the remaining pieces ... which have to be worth more than $100k, if you know watches.